On Wednesday, 18 June 2025, a delegation of member councillors and senior officials from the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) met with John O'Dowd MLA, the Minister of Finance. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the future of UK local growth funding beyond 2026. The focus was to emphasise that any new funding model should reflect local priorities, facilitate place-based investment, and be co-designed with local government from the beginning.
The discussion with the Minister centred on the legacy of the UK Growth Funds, including the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which have played a significant role in helping member councils deliver transformative economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The delegation shared insights on what has worked well under the current programmes and identified key principles that could shape future funding approaches.
At the meeting, Cllr Billy Webb, NILGA Office Bearer, stated, “The UK Growth Funds have had a measurable impact across the region, supporting business growth, community regeneration, skills development, and sustainable infrastructure. Member councils appreciate the flexibility and autonomy these funds provided, along with streamlined funding processes and advance payments that simplified delivery.
“Councils also played a key role in co-designing the existing programmes here, ensuring that the funds were responsive to local needs and strategically aligned. Building on this experience, local government leaders are advocating for a more formalised and greater co-design role in shaping any successor programmes after 2026.”
The delegation outlined its core requests to inform the design of the next generation of funding, including strategic, place-based multi-year investment plans; needs-based allocation of funding;and flexibility in programme delivery.
Cllr Matt Garrett, NILGA Office Bearer, remarked, “While the details of future local growth funding are still to be announced, what’s most important is the clear commitment to co-design the successor programme with local government from the very start.
“Our member councils believe that this collaborative approach will lead to smarter investment targeting, stronger delivery outcomes, and alignment with the priorities that matter most to our communities and citizens.”
Finance Minister John O’Dowd MLA said, “It is important the Voluntary and Community sector who deliver much needed Economic Inactivity interventions for our most vulnerable citizens are provided with certainty as soon as possible. My officials are pressing NIO and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government officials for urgent clarity on delivery mechanisms and interventions for Local Growth funding.
“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with NILGA delegates on Wednesday to hear about their experiences with funding streams under the Levelling Up Agenda and their views on how we could work in partnership in the development of Local Growth funding.
“I have been clear with the Westminster Government that to make the best use of this funding, there needs to be local decision-making on how it is allocated. My officials will continue to work closely and collaboratively with other departments, and with the community and voluntary sector and key stakeholders, to inform the development of any potential successor.”
As the UK Government prepares to establish future funding priorities, NILGA is urging that the lessons learned from current programmes be integrated into successor funding models. Our member councils stand ready to collaborate with government partners to design a funding framework that maximises impact, empowers communities, and delivers measurable outcomes for our citizens.
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